PHNOM PENH (19 Oct 2008) – Brunei gave a sterling performance in their first match of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 qualifiers to hold the Philippines to a pulsating 1-1 draw at the National Olympic Stadium.
The sultanate side had the day off on the first match day two days earlier and were raring to go against the Philippines who have a roaring start to their qualifiers when they beat Timor Leste 1-0.
“We are a little amateur team,” said Vjeran Simunic, the head coach for Brunei.
“And the game could have gone either way. It was 50-50. But I’m very proud of my players for what they showed today.”
Brunei started the match strongly with prolific striker Mohd Shahrazen Said delivering a point blank shot which forced a spectacular save from Philippines’ custodian Neil Etheridge.
Three minutes later, Philippines fought back with a freekick from Alexander Borromeo which was cleared by the Brunei’s defence.
But in the 17th minute, Brunei went ahead when Shahrazen made good on a cross from Muhd Maududi Kasmi to put the ball over the reach of Etheridge for the lead.
Under pressure, Philippines created several chances after that but just can’t seem to find the last touch to make it count.
However, just when things seem to be heading for a deadlock at the half, Philippines finally broke through with the equalizer five minutes to the break.
An innocuous cross from the right was headed into goal by the waiting Chad Gould as Brunei’s defensive line failed to make the proper clearance.
The second half saw both teams upping the tempo which in the end resulted with a flurry of yellow cards being flashed by referee Setiyono Midi.
As the game wore on, Brunei became increasingly tired as they struggled to keep out the Philippines.
In the 68th minute, Brunei’s Sairol Sahari’s volley was denied by Etheridge while the Philippines replied with a header from Gould which went over the crossbar.
Philippines came the closest after the break but Ian Araneta’s blast came off the crossbar – much to the disappointment of the Philippines bench.
“I am not happy with the results where we were denied by the crossbar twice,” said Juan Cutillas, the head coach of Cambodia afterwards.
“The game was even, but we created the better chances. We deserve to win – there was no doubt about that.”
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